Our mathematics program, as recommended through the Washington State Mathematics Performance Expectations K-8 approved in July of 2008 (see link below), provides a balance of conceptual understanding, procedural proficiency, and problem solving processes. In order to do this, we use the Everyday Math Program. Some teachers may also supplement student's practice in computation and problem solving skills with Singapore math or other supplementary materials.
Everyday Mathematics is a research-based curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. For information about the Math curriculum, Everyday Math has a lot of useful information.
Here is a useful cheat sheet for The Many Ways of Arithmetic in Everyday Math. It shows the various methods taught to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Print it out! It is helpful for both parents and children.
Here's a new resource to help you and your child understand the variety of methods EDM uses for basic computation: Go to: https://www.everydaymathonline.com/ Click on "Free Resources" at the top of the page Then click on "Algorithm Animations Sampler." There, you will find a list of animations that show some of the methods to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
The term "Singapore Math", as used in the U.S.A. and Canada generally refers to the Primary Mathematics series. The Primary Mathematics Series was first published in 1982 and was the only series used in Singapore primary schools up till 2001. For more information about Singapore Math, here is the website for Singapore Math.
Here are a few ideas for you to use when you work with your budding mathematicians!
Study Island http://www.studyisland.com/generalProfDemo.cfm?myState=WA
If your kids need additional practice that is actually fun, give Study Island a try. This online study program covers all of the required Washington State math and reading standards. As you answer each of the questions, you can choose to play an interesting game. The Study Island link allows you to try it out by clicking on the 'View Demo' link. You can try out one section from each grade level. A complete license for an individual is $50. If you would like to see the complete 2nd grade product, or have any additional questions, please contact franklinhu@yahoo.com My kids have been known to fight over playing this while doing complex mathematics like coin counting.
Even more sample WASL test questions http://www.k12.wa.us/Assessment/WASL/testquestions.aspx
Sample questions and answers from 2001-2008 are provided on this web site. This is a much more comprehensive compilation of almost every single kind of question that has been asked on the WASL. However, the questions and answers are mixed on the same page, so you can't use these like a sample test.
http://delicious.com/seattle.math.coach
This is a list of math-related websites compiled by the math coach at TT Minor. It is a little overwhelming in number but there are some good links.
http://www.kcls.org/homework_help/mathematics.cfm
This is a fairly organized list of helpful math sites from the King County Library System. http://www.brainpop.com
This site is fee based but has a free section. It includes short, animated, kid-friendly video lessons on a variety of educational subjects. The math videos explain concepts in a simple way that kids can understand, and include a self-correcting quiz that kids can use to assess their understanding of what they've been watching.
http://www.dreambox.com
This is another fee based site for K-2 students. It has progressive games and activities and it monitors your child's learning and chooses activities based on his or her level. Also, it will send progress reports to parents, and keeps track of the child's progress so that the parent can know how he or she is performing.
A Few Math Links to Explore:
Free:http//www.everydaymathonline.com
King County Library System Math Homework Help
Funbrain Math Arcade
Math Cats
BBC Primary Age Math Activities
A Comprehensive List of Math Websites for Kids and Families
Family Math Challenges from Figure This
Fee-Based (all have free trials):
Study Island
BrainPop.com
Dreambox: Microsoft's New K-2 Math Learning Game
Math at Arbor Heights
Our mathematics program, as recommended through the Washington State Mathematics Performance Expectations K-8 approved in July of 2008 (see link below), provides a balance of conceptual understanding, procedural proficiency, and problem solving processes. In order to do this, we use the Everyday Math Program. Some teachers may also supplement student's practice in computation and problem solving skills with Singapore math or other supplementary materials.Washington State Math Standards
The Washington State Mathematics Performance Expectations specify the minimum requirements for what student's should know and be able to do by the end of each grade level.Here's a link to the newly adopted state math standards: http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/Mathematics/RevisedStandards/WAMathStandardsGradesK-8.pdf
Condensed version (1 page per grade level):
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/math/newmathstandardspe/index.dxml
Everyday Math
Everyday Mathematics is a research-based curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. For information about the Math curriculum, Everyday Math has a lot of useful information.Here is a useful cheat sheet for The Many Ways of Arithmetic in Everyday Math. It shows the various methods taught to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Print it out! It is helpful for both parents and children.
Here's a new resource to help you and your child understand the variety of methods EDM uses for basic computation:
Go to: https://www.everydaymathonline.com/
Click on "Free Resources" at the top of the page
Then click on "Algorithm Animations Sampler."
There, you will find a list of animations that show some of the methods to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
To use the Everyday Math activities online, go to Everyday Mathematics Online.
Singapore Math
The term "Singapore Math", as used in the U.S.A. and Canada generally refers to the Primary Mathematics series. The Primary Mathematics Series was first published in 1982 and was the only series used in Singapore primary schools up till 2001. For more information about Singapore Math, here is the website for Singapore Math.At L.A. school, Singapore math has added value
Fun Math Websites to explore with your kids
Here are a few ideas for you to use when you work with your budding mathematicians!Study Island
http://www.studyisland.com/generalProfDemo.cfm?myState=WA
If your kids need additional practice that is actually fun, give Study Island a try. This online study program covers all of the required Washington State math and reading standards. As you answer each of the questions, you can choose to play an interesting game. The Study Island link allows you to try it out by clicking on the 'View Demo' link. You can try out one section from each grade level. A complete license for an individual is $50. If you would like to see the complete 2nd grade product, or have any additional questions, please contact franklinhu@yahoo.com My kids have been known to fight over playing this while doing complex mathematics like coin counting.
What your elementary student needs to know about math
http://www.geocities.com/franklinhu/elementary.html
It is confusing to know what your child should know at each grade level. This web site is an attempt to provide a simple test to determine if your child meets the state computational standards from kindergarden to third grade. If you child can complete these assessments, they meet state standards.
Complete sample WASL tests
http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/Mathematics/PracticeSampleTests.aspx
If you would like to prepare for the WASL, complete sample tests (which look and feel like the real thing) for grades 3-8 are avaliable at this web site from 2006. The answer key is also included as a separate document.
Even more sample WASL test questions
http://www.k12.wa.us/Assessment/WASL/testquestions.aspx
Sample questions and answers from 2001-2008 are provided on this web site. This is a much more comprehensive compilation of almost every single kind of question that has been asked on the WASL. However, the questions and answers are mixed on the same page, so you can't use these like a sample test.
http://delicious.com/seattle.math.coach
This is a list of math-related websites compiled by the math coach at TT Minor. It is a little overwhelming in number but there are some good links.
http://www.kcls.org/homework_help/mathematics.cfm
This is a fairly organized list of helpful math sites from the King County Library System.
http://www.brainpop.com
This site is fee based but has a free section. It includes short, animated, kid-friendly video lessons on a variety of educational subjects. The math videos explain concepts in a simple way that kids can understand, and include a self-correcting quiz that kids can use to assess their understanding of what they've been watching.
http://www.dreambox.com
This is another fee based site for K-2 students. It has progressive games and activities and it monitors your child's learning and chooses activities based on his or her level. Also, it will send progress reports to parents, and keeps track of the child's progress so that the parent can know how he or she is performing.
Fun Brain
PBS Kids
Figure This
Math Cats
Math Videos Online
Math.Com
BBC Schools Numeracy
Coming soon: Arbor Heights Family Math of the Month, Ideas from Ruth Parker, and Recommended Math Games and Books!